In case you haven't caught the ubiquitous advertisements on prime-time television in recent weeks, May 18 is election day in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And yes, you should vote; democracies don't function well in the absence of an engaged citizenry.

We're not entirely smitten with Sestak. His melodramatic intonation and speechifying is annoying, but in the grand scheme of things, a forgivable offense.

Onorato is the favorite, but the ball game isn't over.

Don't let this primary business fool you: Even if you're not registered with a party, you can still vote on the four ballot questions.

Of all the candidates we interviewed during this process, none impressed us quite as much as Manan Trivedi.

Look, we don't blame you for unplugging the alarm when it comes to the races for the state House of Representatives and Senate.

Philadelphia has never elected a woman as mayor, in contrast to Baltimore, Atlanta, Tampa and 203 other major cities with female mayors in 2009.

Money talks — and big money talks loud — in Pennsylvania.

The thing about running for office is, almost anyone can do it. Of course, not everyone does it well.

"We are part of creation, and not meant to have dominion over it."

by Bruce Schimmel

What You Say

So here's something: On April 22, City Councilmen Darrell Clarke and Bill Greenlee introduced Bill No. 100267, which would encumber event promoters with a slew of new requirements and restrictions. In the words of one promoter, "It's chilling."

When news breaks in Philadelphia, we make jokes.

They're programmed to eliminate any element of chance, and you can take that to the bank.

by Isaiah Thompson

Jacqueline Cotter's vision has never been sharper.

by Bruce Walsh

Robin Rice on Visual Art | Iqbal Hussain: The Painter of Imprisoned Souls

by Robin Rice

THEATER REVIEW: 1812 Productions' An Evening Without Woody Allen

by Mark Cofta

Everybody Was In the French Resistance ... Now! | McSweeney's | Broken Social Scene | Art Star Craft Bazaar

Sun., May 16, 7 p.m., $10, The Fidget Space, 1714 N. Mascher St., rhymeswithopera.org.

by Emily Currier

Sat.-Sun., May 15-16, 8 p.m., $8, Vox Populi Gallery, 319 N. 11th St., 215-400-1521, pimagroup.org.

by Emily Currier

Ridley Scott makes his case with a nearly unrecognizable Robin Hood.

There's little in the way of chick flick about Please Give, which treats its characters and its audience like adults with complex needs, not Ephron-bots waiting for the next Motown song or food montage.

Send repertory film listings to molly.eichel@citypaper.net.

Mon., May 17, 8 p.m., $8, with Jennifer O'Connor, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 877-435-9849, johnnybrendas.com.

by Michael Pelusi

Cornershop felt like real envelope-pushers with their simmering Anglo-Indian curry of breakbeat chop-ups, Filmi-flavored funk and sunny guitar pop.

De Staat also hews toward a rock sensibility.

by Peter Burwasser

Sat., May 15, 10:30 p.m., $8, with Porcupine, Benni E and Rainbow Unicorn, The Balcony at the Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888, thetroc.com.

by A.D. Amorosi

Sat., May 15, 8:30 p.m., $15 with Smoke Fairies and Pete Roe, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 877-435-9849, johnnybrendas.com.

by K. Ross Hoffman

Fri., May 14, 9 p.m., $21.50-$24, with The Dollyrots and Moon Women, Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-6888, thetroc.com.

by M.J. Fine

Thu., May 13, 8:30 p.m., $18-$20, with Deer Tick, Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., 215-627-1332, electricfactory.info.

by K. Ross Hoffman

Thu., May 13, 8 p.m., $8, with Ferraby Lionheart, Colin Smith, and Josh Olmstead and The Space Covered Wagons, M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 215-739-5577, themanhattanroom.com

by M.J. Fine

A secret ingredient recently joined my pantry. If all you knew about it were the basic facts concerning its historical uses, you would probably not want to come over for dinner.

Though not strictly a cookbook (Walker calls it a "culinary seduction guide"), dozens of simple recipes dot the chapters; dishes like "Tap That Ass-paragus Soup" and "Eggs Whorentine" were culled from more than 400 on his blog.

South 9th Street Italian Market Festival | "Make Your Own Fresh Goat's Milk Cheese" at Germantown Jewish Centre | Beer Tasting and Dinner at Morris Arboretum | Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers' Festival at Iron Hill | "Three Decades of Dining in Philadelphia: the '80s, '90s and '00s" at Reading Terminal Market

City Tap House | Bodhi Coffee | Jake's Sandwich Board

A musical created from audience suggestions. Just hope everyone makes it out alive.

by Emily Currier

Fashion Weekend at the Piazza | ≈ | Nikki London Closes

For the both of you who still like your music on CDs, Tuesday has long been the equivalent of Friday in the movie business.

Fri., May 14, 9 p.m.; Sat., May 15, 7 and 9 p.m.; Sun., May 16, 7 p.m.; $20, Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Market Street, cabaretredlight.com.

by Emily Currier

Thu.- Sun., May 13-23, pay what you can, Underground Arts at the Wolf Building, 340 N. 12th St., anthologyproject.org/solow-festival.

by Alexandra Harcharek

Sat., May 15, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $15, Shampoo Nightclub, 417 N. Eighth St., draculasball.com.

by Emily Currier

Sat., May 15, $5-$10, Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., 215-620-2130, publiceyephilly.org.

by Tom Tiballi

Fri.,-Sat., May 14-15, 8 p.m., $20, The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., 267-233-1556, phillyimprovtheater.com.

by Tom Tiballi